President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other frontline presidential contenders have intensified their search for suitable running mates as political parties shift their focus to building winning tickets for the January 2027 general elections.
The race to select vice-presidential candidates has placed a significant emphasis on geopolitical strategy and religious balance, with many camps calculating how to assemble a balanced Christian-Muslim ticket to maximize nationwide appeal.
The search comes on the heels of the May 30 deadline fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conclusion of party primaries and the emergence of presidential flagbearers.
While some platforms have made choices, such as the Nigeria Democratic Congress, where standard-bearer Peter Obi immediately selected former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate, several other candidates are still locked in consultations.
Incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clinched the All Progressives Congress nomination after polling 10,999,162 votes in a nationwide direct primary. It remains unconfirmed whether he will retain Vice President Kashim Shettima or adjust the ticket to address growing calls for religious balancing.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar secured the African Democratic Congress ticket by scoring 1,855,787 votes in its primary election, defeating his closest rivals, Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 509,397 votes, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who received 180,903 votes. In the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi secured his nomination through a unanimous affirmation vote during the party’s nationwide primary exercises.
Within the APC, President Tinubu faces critical discussions regarding whether to sustain a Muslim-Muslim configuration or make adjustments. In the ADC, Atiku Abubakar has yet to make a formal announcement, but sources indicate his campaign is evaluating candidates capable of expanding the opposition’s footprint in southern Nigeria.
Three distinct options have emerged within the party’s consultations. The National Secretary of the ADC and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, is under consideration, though analysts point out that a Muslim-Muslim ticket could pose electoral challenges for the camp. Rotimi Amaechi has also been proposed, although he previously indicated he did not enter the primary race to serve as a deputy. Former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha remains a frequently mentioned option due to his long-standing political ties with Atiku, while the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is being considered by some stakeholders due to her strong economic management background.
Smaller and emerging parties are similarly finalizing their structures ahead of the upcoming electoral deadlines. The camp of Dr. Gbenga Hashim, a Christian candidate from the Middle Belt running on the Accord Party platform, has indicated that consultations are underway to select a vice-presidential candidate from Edo State to balance the ticket.
For the Labour Party, standard-bearer Chibuzor Okereke, who hails from the South-East, is expected to look toward the northern geopolitical zones for a suitable running mate.
Deliberations remain ongoing within the Peoples Democratic Party regarding former President Goodluck Jonathan’s role. Meanwhile, in the Allied Peoples Movement, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is advancing his moves, with discussions continuing over a potential running mate from the North-East.